Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Medieval pub moving with the times
The Maiden’s Head in Wincheap was one of the first inns built outside the city walls...
Last week the Gazette reported how one of Canterbury’s oldest inns was looking to the future by becoming the first pub in the city to install an electric car charging point.
The Maiden’s Head in Wincheap is thought to be one of the first taverns built outside the city walls.
The building itself is said to date back to 1446 and first became an inn when owner Thomas Stokes gained a licence to sell ales on the premises in 1573. The pub consists of two timberframed buildings, one parallel to the road and one extending backwards. Reports from the Archaeologist Trust, which conducted research during a 1984 refitting of the pub, said: “It is just possible that the timberframe at the back was re-erected as a brew-house. Later still, perhaps in the 18th century, a malt-house was added beyond this.”
The premises was purchased in 1754 by Rigden’s Brewery for £330 and was owned by them in 1826.
An article from 1973 states the pub was once called the Head Maiden’s due to the “chief woman of entourage” staying there during royal visits to Canterbury.
In 2018, landlord Jeremy Stirling discovered 15th century beams above the pub, still standing strong and holding the building together. With the upper floors now converted to a B&B and the charging point installed, Mr Stirling says the pub is the “modern-day version” of centuries gone by when punters would stop to water their horses. “Now you’ll be feeding your car,” he says.
■ Pictures and words used with kind permission of Paul Skelton, of www.